Blanking panel for standardized equipment rack and cabinet enclosure

ABSTRACT

A snap-mount blanking panel for an equipment rack or cabinet enclosure has ergonomic grips spaced laterally inward to permit comfortable and reliable mounting and removal of the blanking panel regardless of lateral clearance. Resiliently flexible sealing skirt members create a positive seal with adjacent electronic devices or blanking panels. Stacking structure enables stable stacking of multiple units outside a container. An off-set platform allows for mounting ambient atmospheric indicators or signage, or may be used as a writing surface. A cable pass-through is also provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to the field of standardized racks and cabinetenclosures for electronic equipment and, in particular, to blankingpanels for standardized equipment racks and cabinet enclosures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic devices, such as computer servers and related computerequipment, and other electronic devices, are commonly mounted instandardized racks and cabinet enclosures having spaced-apart,(typically vertical) mounting rails with a series of holes defining aplurality of uniformly-spaced mounting locations for mounting theelectronic devices in a closely-spaced, stacked manner. Standards forsuch racks and cabinet enclosures have been published by various tradeorganizations, including the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA 310-D),the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC 60297), and theDeutsches Institut für Normung e.V. (DIN 41494 SC48D), which standardsare hereby incorporated by reference.

Electronic devices suitable for mounting in such standardized racks andcabinet enclosures have heights substantially equal to an integermultiple of a predetermined height unit (U) of the standardized rack orcabinet enclosure (e.g., 1 U, 2 U, 3 U . . . nU). For example, a 1 Udevice may have a height of 44.45 mm (or 1.175 inches).

Blanking panels are often placed between electronic devices instandardized racks and cabinet enclosures to occupy unused mountinglocations, primarily to control the flow of air in and around the rackor cabinet enclosure, and for organizational, safety and aestheticreasons. As above, such blanking panels have heights substantially equalto an integer multiple of the predetermined height unit (U) of thestandardized rack or cabinet enclosure (e.g., 1 U, 2 U, 3 U . . . nU).

Electronic devices and blanking panels (including the blanking panel ofthe present invention) which are mutually suitable for mounting in anelectronic equipment rack or cabinet enclosure (constructed according toone of the above-mentioned standards, or another standard) may bedescribed collectively herein as “conforming” or as “conformingdevices.”

Early blanking panels consist of a generally flat sheet of material(e.g., sheet metal) having mounting holes on opposite ends which aresuitable to mount the blanking panel to the rack or cabinet enclosureusing mechanical fasteners, such as screws, bolts, or captive hardware,or the like. The fasteners are inserted into the holes in the mountingrails of the standardized rack or cabinet enclosure. Later modelblanking panels are integrally-formed of injection molded plastic andhave snap-mount structures on each end which engage opposing surfaces ofthe mounting rails to securely (and removably) attach the blanking panelto the rack or cabinet enclosure.

Such prior constructions of blanking panels generally serve theirintended purposes; however, flat sheet blanking panels often warp orbend and lose sealing effectiveness in the rack, and the priorsnap-mount blanking panels do not provide an effective barrier to airflow. Further, the prior snap-mount blanking panels can be difficult anduncomfortable to engage and disengage from the rack or cabinet enclosurebecause inadequate room is available from the finger lifts or turnbuttons to clear the edges of the rack or cabinet. Indeed, it is notuncommon for users of prior blanking panels to abrade or scrape theirhands and knuckles on the cabinet enclosure or rack when mounting orremoving the panels. Also, the physical arrangement of devices andblanking panels in racks and cabinet enclosures can be quite dynamic,requiring frequent movement of devices and reconfiguration of theblanking panels. Thus, the difficulty and discomfort involved ininstalling and replacing prior blanking panels can be significant.

The prior blanking panels do not allow for stable stacking of multipleblanking panels for storage and thus must be stored in a container, suchas a corrugated box, which is undesirable for data centers and the like.In addition, the prior blanking panels do not provide a means forreliably measuring atmospheric conditions of the ambient area which isoften desirable in data centers and the like, or provide an area formounting signage or for a writing surface which can provide informationabout the rack or devices therein. Further, prior blanking panels do notprovide a means to pass cable through the blanking panel.

Therefore, what is desired is an improved blanking panel forstandardized electronic equipment racks and cabinet enclosures which isconvenient and comfortable to engage and disengage from the rack, whichprovides a substantial and reliable seal against air flow in the areasimmediately above and below the blanking panel, which provides forreliable, stable stacking of multiple blanking panels outside acontainer, which provides a reliable means for measuring atmosphericconditions in the ambient area, which provides an area for mountingsignage or for a writing surface, and which provides a cablepass-through.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a snap-mount blanking panel for an equipmentrack or cabinet enclosure of the type having spaced-apart mounting railsfor mounting electronic devices and equipment. The blanking panel has afront wall, first and second end portions on opposite lateral sides ofthe front wall, and means for releasably connecting the blanking panelto the mounting rails in a resilient, snap-mount manner, with the frontwall facing outward. The releasable connecting means is disposed on thefirst and second end portions of said blanking panel.

Both the first and second ergonomic grips may be used for two-handedconnection and removal of the blanking panel. The first and second gripsare accessible from the front of the blanking panel and are preferablyengagable between a finger and thumb, but can also be engaged with onefinger in some embodiments.

Each grip preferably has a finger bearing surface and a thumb bearingsurface sized to engage a majority of a palmar aspect of the finger andthumb of the user, respectively, from about the DIP (distalinterphalangeal) joint of the finger/thumb to about the end of thefinger/thumb, respectively. The DIP joint of each finger and thumbinterconnects the outermost (i.e., distal) finger/thumb bone (phalanx)to the middle finger/thumb bone and is generally located at the DIPcrease—in the palmar aspect (i.e., fingerprint area) of thefinger/thumb—between the distal and middle phalanges.

Each grip is spaced laterally inward from an associated adjacent endportion of the blanking panel at least about 5 cm to permit engagementof the grip by the user, with said first and second hands of the userlocated entirely between said first and second ends of the blankingpanel. The laterally inward placement of the grips allows the user tomount and remove the blanking panel without physical stress or abrasionto the hands of the installer during installation and removal of largequantities of blanking panels.

The user may conveniently, comfortably and reliably engage and removethe blanking panel from the equipment rack or cabinet enclosure bygrasping the first and second grips regardless of the clearancelaterally outward of the ends of the blanking panel and regardless oflaterally inwardly projecting rack frame or door structure. This designand mechanism eliminates the problems of discomfort in installing andremoving, and of abrading or scraping hands and knuckles.

The stacking structure of the blanking panel allows multiple blankingpanels to be stacked in a stable manner without the use of an externalsupport structure, such as a box or the like.

Resiliently flexible sealing skirt members extend along the edges of theblanking panels and form a positive seal with electronic equipment orother blanking panels in mounting locations immediately above and belowthe blanking panel to prevent air flow therebetween. The sealingblanking panels may be mounted and removed without the need todisassemble and re-assemble adjacent blanking panels or electronicequipment.

Further, the blanking panel provides an off-set platform for mountinginstruments to measure the ambient atmospheric conditions, for mountingsignage or for a writing surface. Further, the blanking panel mayprovide a cable pass-through.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a complete understanding of the above and other features of theinvention, reference shall be made to the following detailed descriptionof the preferred embodiments of the invention and to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blanking panel constructed accordingto the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the blanking panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the blanking panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a perspective cross sectional view of the blanking panel,taken along line 4A-4A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view of the blanking panel, taken alongline 4B-4B of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view, showing the nested stacking supportfeatures of the blanking panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is cross sectional view, showing nested stacking of two blankingpanels constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 7A is a side elevation cross sectional view, showing two blankingpanels mounted in a standardized electronic equipment rack;

FIGS. 7B & 7C are a top plan view and a perspective view, showing ablanking panel mounted in a standardized electronic equipment rack;

FIG. 8A is a section view of the blanking panel of FIG. 1, showing thecross section of the skirt members;

FIG. 8B is a section view of the blanking panel, showing a pliantover-mold.

FIG. 8C is a section view of the blanking panel, showing pliant endportions of the sealing skirt members;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a blanking panel constructed accordingto the invention having an off-set platform mounted to a front wall ofthe blanking panel;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the off-set platform of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of the blankingpanel;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the blanking panel of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a partial cross sectional view, taken along line 13-13 ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the blankingpanel (2 U).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, a 1 U version of a blanking panel 10 constructedaccording to the invention includes a pair of ergonomic grips 14, 16formed in a front wall 12 to facilitate secure, comfortable mounting andremoval of the blanking panel 10 from a standardized electronicequipment rack or cabinet enclosure.

The blanking panel 10 has a generally rectangular configuration and isadvantageously formed of a unitary molding of structural plasticmaterial, and preferably an ABS plastic material having fire retardantcharacteristics.

Preferably, the blanking panel 10 has a lateral length, as measured fromone end 36 to an opposite end 38, suitable for mounting in astandardized electronic equipment rack or cabinet enclosure, for exampleabout 49 mm (i.e., about 19 inches). The above-mentioned ANSI/EIA-310-Estandard specifies acceptable distances of 482.2 mm, 609.6 mm, or 782.2mm, (i.e., about 19 inches, 24 inches, or 30 inches), with a toleranceof about +/−4 mm. Further, the blanking panel 10 has a height, asmeasured from a top edge of a front wall 12 to a bottom edge thereof,substantially equal to or slightly less than an integer multiple of apredetermined height unit (U) of the standardized equipment rack orcabinet enclosure (1 U, 2 U, 3 U . . . nU), for example about 44.45 mm,or about 1.75 inches.

The grips 14, 16 are disposed on the front wall 12 of the blanking panel10, and are operable for mounting and removal of said blanking panel 10to and from the mounting rails. The grips 14, 16 are accessible from thefront wall 12 of the blanking panel 10 when the blanking panel 10 ismounted to the mounting rails with devices (or other blanking panels)occupying mounting locations immediately above and below the blankingpanel.

Each grip 14, 16 has a first bearing surface 94 (FIGS. 4A & 4B) sizedand shaped to engage a substantial portion of the palmar aspect of adigit of a hand of the user (e.g., a finger or thumb). The first bearingsurface 94 is spaced at least about 5 cm (and preferably about 9 cm)from an adjacent end portion 36, 38 of the blanking panel 10, and isoperable to receive a pulling force exerted on the blanking panel 10 bythe user, for removing the blanking panel from the mounting rails. Thefirst bearing surface 94 faces (at least partially) toward the rear ofthe blanking panel. In other words, a normal vector of the first bearingsurface 94 (or at least a component of a normal vector) points towardthe rear of the blanking panel 10, such that a pulling force exertedperpendicular on the first bearing surface by a user will tend todislodge the blanking panel 10 from the mounting rails. The firstbearing surface 94 may have a concave or complex shape, in which casenormal vectors (or components thereof) of a substantial portion ormajority of the surface face toward the rear of the blanking panel.

Each grip 14, 16 also includes a second bearing surface 95 proximate thefirst bearing surface 94, which second bearing surface 95 is operable toreceive a pushing force for installing the blanking panel 10. The firstand second bearing surfaces 94, 95 of each grip 14, 16 are preferablysubstantially parallel and are engagable between the finger and thumb ofa hand of a user for mounting and removal of the blanking panel 10.

Preferably, the first bearing surface 94 forms a finger bearing surface28 and the second bearing surface 95 forms a thumb bearing surface 30.It is intended that the user engage the finger bearing surface 28 with afinger and likewise, the thumb bearing surface 30 with a thumb. However,it can be appreciated that the reverse may also be possible, or the usermay use two fingers from each hand, instead of a finger and thumb.Therefore, as used herein the term “finger bearing surface” shallinclude suitable for contact by a thumb, and the term “thumb bearingsurface” shall include a surface suitable for contact by a finger.

Each grip 14, 16 has a contact member 24 which may be engaged between afinger and thumb of the user for mounting and removal of the blankingpanel 10. The first bearing surface 94 and/or finger bearing surface 28is preferably disposed on an interior portion of the contact member 24.The finger bearing surface 28 is sized to engage a majority of thepalmar aspect of the fingertip of the user beyond from at least aboutthe DIP joint of the finger to about the end extremity of the finger,or, alternatively, beyond from at least about a mid-point between theDIP joint to about the end extremity of the finger. Thus, the fingerbearing surface 28 preferably has a length (as measured along the fingerinsertion axis 23) of about 1-4 cm and a width (measured along an axisor arc perpendicular to the finger insertion axis 23) of about 1-2 cm.As depicted, the finger bearing surface 28 is disposed on an interiorsurface 27 of the contact member 24. The finger bearing surface 28preferably has a concave shape to comfortably conform to the convexshape of an average adult fingertip. Alternatively, the finger bearingsurface 28 may be substantially planar, or another suitable surfaceshape.

As set forth above, the DIP joint of each finger and thumb interconnectsthe outermost (i.e., distal) finger/thumb bone (phalanx) to the middlefinger/thumb bone and is generally located at the DIP crease—in thepalmar aspect (i.e., fingerprint area) of the finger/thumb—between thedistal and middle phalanges.

The contact member 24 (and optionally an adjacent portion 31 of thefront wall 12) forms the second bearing surface 95 and/or thumb bearingsurface 30, which is sized to engage a majority of a palmar aspect ofthe of the thumb of the user beyond from at least about the DIP joint ofthe thumb to about the end extremity of the thumb (or, alternatively,beyond from at least about a mid-point between the DIP joint and the endextremity of the thumb). Thus, the thumb bearing surface 30 preferablyhas a length of about 1-4 cm and a width of about 1-2 cm. As depicted,the thumb bearing surface 30 is disposed on an exterior surface 29 ofthe contact member 24. The thumb bearing surface 30 may have a convexshape, a substantially planar shape, or another suitable shape.

Each grip 14, 16 also includes a back wall 22, an end wall 20, and anopening 26. The opening 26 is partially defined by a free edge 21 of thecontact member 24. The back wall 22 projects rearward from the frontwall 12 and laterally inward (i.e., away from the adjacent end 36, 38),and forms a rearward and laterally inwardly projecting, concave recess18 sized and shaped to, at least partially, receive a finger therein.The contact member 24 extends over the concave recess 18 formed by theback wall 22 and projects, from the front wall 12 to the free edge 21,forwardly and laterally outward, generally toward the adjacent end 36,38 and parallel to the back wall 22, such that the back wall 22, contactmember 24 and end wall 20 form a partially enclosed finger cavity 19 forreceipt of a finger therein.

Each finger cavity 19 has a depth sufficient to receive an average adultfinger of user up to at least about an outermost joint of the finger(which is the distal interphalangeal—DIP—joint), for example up to about2-4 cm, without any, or any substantial amount of, compression orpinching of the finger between the back wall 22 and the contact member24. Thus, the user can preferably insert a finger up to at least a pointwhere the DIP crease contacts the free edge 21 of the contact member 24.Alternately, each grip 14, 16 can be sized to receive the finger up toabout a mid-point between the end extremity of the finger and the DIPjoint, or a depth of about 1-2 cm.

Suitably, the finger cavity 19 of each grip 14, 16 has an ellipticalcross section (as taken in a plane perpendicular to an axis of insertion23 of the finger into the finger cavity 19) with a long (vertical) axisof about 3 cm and a short (horizontal) axis of about 2 cm.Alternatively, the finger cavity 19 can have a cylindrical cross-sectionhaving a diameter of about 2-3 cm, or another suitable cross-sectionalconfiguration.

When mounting or removing the blanking panel 10, it is necessary for theuser to apply rearward or forward pressure to the blanking panel 10. Thegrips 14, 16 provide a comfortable and secure means by which to applysuch pressure. To mount or remove the blanking panel 10, a user maysecurely and comfortably grip the blanking panel 10 by inserting anindex finger (or any finger) into the finger cavity 19 of each grip 14,16 from the front of the blanking panel 10 and gripping the associatedcontact member 24 between the inserted finger and the associated thumb.Alternatively, the user may employ a different combination of digitssuch as one or two fingers, or one thumb.

Referring to FIGS. 7B & 7C, standardized equipment racks or cabinetenclosures often have frame and door structure 200 that projectlaterally inward (about 2-4 cm) with respect to the outer ends 36, 38 ofthe blanking panel 10, which, with prior blanking panels, requires theuser to navigate their hands and fingers inside the frame and thenlaterally outward to the ends of the prior blanking panel to mount andremove the blanking panel. As depicted in FIG. 7B, the mounting rails210 of such racks commonly include integral or connected structure whichextends forward, laterally outward of the mounting rails, such that anarrow gap 220 of about 1-2 cm (or less) exists between the outer ends36, 38 of the blanking panel 10 and the forwardly extending portion 230of the mounting rails. Such structure can substantially hinder orprevent a user from securely and comfortably grasping the ends 36, 38 ofthe prior blanking panel during mounting and removal. Thus, as can beappreciated, the structure of standardized racks and cabinet enclosurescan result in undesirable, and uncomfortable or painful physical stress,abrasion, bumping, scraping or skinning contact of the user's hands orknuckles with the frame and/or mounting rails when attempting to mountor remove a prior blanking panel.

To overcome the above problems, and to provide a secure and comfortablegrip, each grip 14, 16, is disposed on the front of the blanking panel10. Further, each grip 14, 16, or specifically the free edge 21 of thecontact member 24 of each grip 14, 16, is disposed laterally inward froman adjacent end 36, 38 of the blanking panel 10 a distance sufficient toallow the user to securely and comfortably grasp the grips 14, 16 whilemaintaining the users hands and forearms between the ends 36, 38 of theblanking panel 10 and between the frame and door structure of the rack.Specifically, the grips 14, 16 (or more specifically, the free edges 21of the contact members 24) may be located laterally inward from theassociated adjacent end 36, 38 of the blanking panel 10 at least about5-15 cm, and preferably about 9 cm. With this configuration, theblanking panel 10 may be comfortably and securely mounted and removed ina rack or cabinet enclosure having limited or no clearance laterallyoutward of the ends 36, 38 of the blanking panel 10, and/or a rackhaving laterally inwardly projecting frame or door structure, withoutany contact of the user's hands with the rails or cabinet enclosure.Further, the grips 14, 16 are preferably arranged symmetrically along alateral axis of the blanking panel 10.

To ensure proper alignment during mounting, the blanking panel 10includes two pairs of rail alignment projections 32, 34, each pair beinglocated adjacent one of the opposed ends 36, 38 of the blanking panel10. The rail alignment projections 32, 34 extend from a rear surface 40of the front wall 12 and are sized, shaped and spaced to align with andfit within holes in opposed mounting rails of the standardized rack.Each rail alignment projection 32, 34 is preferably tapered, such thatan end extremity 42 has a smaller cross-section than a base portion 44to facilitate such alignment. Other suitable shapes or configurations ofthe alignment projections are also within the scope of the invention.

Preferably, the rail alignment projections 32, 34 are sized and shapedto prevent any substantial movement of the blanking panel 10 whenmounted, so as to maintain a proper seal provided by the blanking panel.Preferably, the mounted blanking panel 10 will move no more than about0.005 inches to about 0.030 inches, and preferably no more than about0.020 inches in either the horizontal (lateral) or vertical direction.

The blanking panel 10 also includes a pair of snap-mount or friction-fitrail engagement members 46, 48 located laterally inward of the railalignment projections 32, 34. The rail engagement members 46, 48 extendfrom the rear surface 40 of the front wall 12. Each rail engagementmember 46, 48 is resiliently cantilevered from the rear surface 40 ofthe front wall 12 and includes a laterally outward projecting apex 50which engages a laterally inward facing surface of an associatedmounting rail to secure the blanking panel 10 to the rack.

Preferably, the rail alignment projections 32, 34 extend from the rearsurface 40 of the front wall 12 a distance greater than the railengagement members 46, 48 such that the rail alignment projections 32,34 enter the holes in the mounting rails prior to engagement of the railengaging members 46, 48 with the mounting rails, so that the user may,during the initial process of mounting, reliably obtain a properalignment of the blanking panel 10 with the rack and may, in the finalprocess of mounting, maintain such proper alignment while applyingmounting pressure to mount the blanking panel 10.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-6, the blanking panel 10 is configured forstacking of multiple blanking panels during shipping and storage. A pairof stacking supports 52 is located between skirt members 60, 62(described in detail below, and depicted in FIGS. 7A-8), which skirtmembers have end extremities 68, 70 that extend along substantially theentire length of the blanking panel 10. The stacking supports 52 extendfrom the rear surface 40 of the front wall 12 or from the back wall 22of the grips 14, 16 between the skirt members 60, 62. When stacked, thestacking supports 52 and/or the rail alignment projections 32, 34 of anupper blanking panel contact the front wall 12 and/or the contactmembers 24 of the immediately lower blanking panel to orient andstabilize the upper blanking panel on top of the lower blanking panel.

To stack the blanking panels 10 in a stable manner, a lower blankingpanel can be placed face-up (i.e., front wall 12 up) on a horizontalsupport surface, such as a horizontal floor, table surface or shelf,resting on the skirt members 60, 62 and/or the end extremities 42 of therail alignment projections 32, 34. In this orientation, a lateral (i.e.,end-to-end) axis of the lower blanking panel is substantially parallelto the support surface and is therefore substantially horizontal (thislateral axis may be considered an X axis). Then, an upper blanking panelmay be placed face-up on top of the lower blanking panel. When properlystacked, the stacking supports 52 and/or the end extremities 42 of therail alignment projections 32, 34 of the upper blanking panel supportthe upper blanking panel with a lateral (X) axis thereof substantiallyparallel to the corresponding X axis of the lower blanking panel (i.e.,substantially horizontal). Further, the stacking supports 52 positivelyorient the upper blanking panel along the lateral (X) axis relative tothe lower blanking panel, with the end portions 36, 38 of the upper andlower blanking panels in substantial vertical alignment (i.e., the upperblanking panel directly above the lower blanking panel). Moreover, thestacking supports 52 prevent relative movement (i.e., translation)between the upper and lower blanking panels along the X axis, such thatthe ends of the upper and lower blanking panels remain in substantialalignment. The stacking supports 52 and/or the end extremities 42 of therail alignment projections 32, 34 also orient the upper blanking panelalong a horizontal axis perpendicular to the X axis (this may beconsidered a Y axis), and limit or prevent relative movement of theupper and lower blanking panels along the Y axis.

Additional blanking panels may be stacked on top of the above-describedtwo-piece stack in a likewise manner. The stacking supports of theadditional blanking panels restrict movement of the additional blankingpanels with respect to the stack below. It has been found that thestacking support arrangement of the invention, which restricts movementof the blanking panels in the two orthogonal horizontal axes (i.e., theX and Y axes) enables the stacking of about 10 pieces of 1 U blankingpanels of the present invention in a stable manner, or about 25 piecesof 2 U versions thereof, without the need for additional support from acontainer or other fixture or device. Further, it is possible to createstable stacks of blanking panels of various sizes. For example 2-1 Upieces maybe stacked on top of (or below) a single 2 U piece, and 2-1 Upieces and a 2 U piece could be stacked on top of (or below) a 4U piece,etc. It can be appreciated that many other stack configurations are alsopossible.

While the face-up stacking method described above is preferable forstacking blanking panels depicted in FIGS. 1-9, it is within the scopeof the invention to stack blanking panels in a face-down orientation, ifthe front of the blanking panel is flat or is otherwise configured tosupport the blanking panel on a horizontal support surface with the Xand Y axes substantially horizontal. This is particularly true forblanking panels of 2 U size or greater since the apexes of the freeedges 21 of the contact members 24 of multi-U versions of the blankingpanel provide well-spaced and stable contact points on the supportsurface.

Each stacking support 52 preferably includes a first portion 54positioned and shaped to engage the contact member 24 of the lowerblanking panel. The first portion 54 may extend from the rear surface 41of the back wall 22 a set-off distance sufficient to prevent contact ofthe rail alignment projections 32, 34 of the upper blanking panel withthe front wall 12 of the lower panel, such that, when stacked, the upperblanking panel rests on the nested stacking supports 52. The firstportion 54 preferably has a concave shape complimentary to the convexshape of the exterior surface 29 of the contact member 24, to properlyalign and stabilize the upper blanking panel with the lower blankingpanel, along the Y axis, perpendicular to the lateral (X) axis of theblanking panel.

Alternatively, the first portion 54 of each stacking support 52 and therail alignment projections 32, 34 of the upper blanking panel maycontact the lower blanking panel when stacked. As a further alternative,the rail alignment projections 32, 34 may extend from the rear surface40 of the front wall 12 a distance sufficient to prevent contact of thefirst portion 54 of each stacking support 52 with the lower blankingpanel such that the upper blanking panel rests on the rail alignmentprojections 32, 34. In this further alternative, the first portion 54 ofeach stacking support 52 preferably closely surrounds the associatedcontact member 24 to align and stabilize the upper blanking panel withrespect to the lower blanking panel.

Each stacking support 52 also preferably includes a second portion 55,located laterally inward of the first portion 54, which second portion55 extends further from the rear surface 41 of the back wall 22 than thefirst portion 54. The second portion 55 is positioned to extend into thefinger cavity 19 of a lower, stacked blanking panel, immediatelyadjacent the free edge 21 of the contact member 24, to align andstabilize the upper blanking panel with the lower blanking panel, alongthe lateral (X) axis.

Stacking stability of the blanking panels 10 is further enhanced by thefact that the curvatures of the contact members 24 and the front wall 12are non-concentric. Thus, the upper blanking panel 10 is inhibited fromrotating (about the X axis) with respect to the lower blanking panel 10.Specifically, two contact areas of the front wall 12 of the lowerblanking panel 10 contacted by the end extremities 42 of the railalignment projections 32, 34 of the upper blanking panel 10 arepreferably convex in shape. Further, the areas of the contact members 24contacted by (or immediately below) the first portions 54 of thestacking supports 52 of the upper blanking panel 10 are also preferablyconvex in shape. However, the contact members 24 have a radius ofcurvature substantially smaller than the radius of curvature of thecontact areas of the front wall 12. Further, the contact areas of thefront wall 12 have centers of curvature substantially displaced fromcenters of curvature of the areas of the contact members 24 contacted by(or immediately below) the first portions 54 of the stacking supports52. Preferably, the centers of curvature of the areas of the contactmembers 24 contacted by the first portions 54 of the stacking supports52 lie somewhere between the associated contact member 24 and a planedefined by the end extremities 68, 70 of the skirt members 60, 62(described in detail below), whereas such plane is between the centersof curvature of the contact areas of the front wall 12 and the contactmembers 24. Since the centers of curvature are non-concentric, the upperblanking panel 10 is inhibited from rotating about the X axis withrespect to the lower blanking panel, which imparts significant stabilityto a vertical stack of blanking panels.

Referring to FIG. 7A-8A, to prevent the flow of air between the blankingpanel 10 and other conforming devices (i.e., electronic devices orblanking panels) immediately above and below, the blanking panel 10preferably includes bottom and top rearwardly projecting skirt members60, 62 which extend along substantially the entire lateral length of theblanking panel 10. Preferably, each skirt member 60, 62 has a laterallength sufficient to extend substantially entirely between the mountingrails of the rack or cabinet enclosure for which it is designed.

The top and bottom skirt members 60, 62 are resiliently flexible andproject divergently rearward from top and bottom edges 64, 66 of theblanking panel 10, respectively. The height of the front of the blankingpanel (including any upper and lower edges 64, 66 thereof) issubstantially equal to or slightly less than one of the standardizedheights of the rack or cabinet enclosure (e.g., 1 U, 2 U, 3 U, . . . nU,less about 0.040 inches). However, the outer edges 97, 98 of the endextremities 68, 70 of the skirt members 60, 62 are preferably spacedapart a predetermined distance greater than the standardized height ofthe blanking panel 10 such that the skirt members 60, 62 make resilientcontact with, and sealingly interfere with another conforming deviceimmediately above or below the blanking panel 10, to substantiallyprevent air flow therebetween, while permitting smooth mounting andremoval of the blanking panel 10 from the rack or cabinet enclosure.

Preferably, the outer edges 97, 98 of the end extremities 68, 70 of theskirt members 60, 62 are spaced apart about 0.040 to about 0.080 inches(most preferably about 0.065 inches) greater than an integer multiple ofthe standard height of the rack or cabinet enclosure (e.g., nU+about0.065 inches), which ensures a substantial sealing interference (ofabout 0.020 to about 0.040 inches, and preferably about 0.033 inches)with adjacent conforming devices, prior blanking panels, and sealingblanking panels (constructed according to the present invention), whileaccommodating expected manufacturing variances in each skirt member 60,62. For example, if the blanking panel is of a 1 U size and 1 U is equalto about 1.75 inches, the outer edges 97, 98 may be spaced about 1.82inches apart.

Preferably, mid points between the outer and inner edges 97, 97′ and 98,98′ of the end extremities 68, 70 are spaced apart a distancesubstantially equal to the standard height of the blanking panel 10(e.g., 1 U, 2 U, etc.). Therefore, as described above, the outer edges97, 98 of the end extremities are spaced a predetermined distance apartgreater than the standard height of the blanking panel 10, creating aninterference of about half the thickness of the end extremity 68, 70with an adjacent standard-height device or blanking panel to providesealing interference between the blanking panel 10 and the adjacentdevices (or other blanking panels).

As can be appreciated, the interference between two adjacent sealingblanking panels 10 constructed according to the present invention willbe double that of the interference between one sealing blanking panel 10and a standard-height device or a prior blanking panel. However, theresilient flexibility of the skirt members 60, 62 of the two adjacentsealing blanking panels 10 is sufficient to permit smooth mounting andremoval of each sealing blanking panel 10.

Referring to FIG. 8A, each skirt member 60, 62 has a living hingecreating an area of flexure 90 disposed between the associated bottom ortop edge 64, 66 of the front of the blanking panel 10 and the associatedend extremity 68,70 of the skirt member 60, 62. Each area of flexure 90has a relatively reduced, and preferably substantially constant,thickness of about 0.025 to about 0.040 inches, most preferably about0.030 inches, which area of flexure 90 extends rearward about 0.100 toabout 0.200 inches, most preferably about 0.150 inches. The area offlexure 90 provides a fatigue-resistant area about which the skirtmember 60, 62 resiliently flexes when engaging an adjacent blankingpanel or electronic device in the rack or cabinet enclosure.

Each skirt member 60, 62 preferably has a forward area (A) 92 extendingfrom an associated bottom or top edge 64, 66 to the area of flexure (B)90, which forward area 92 has a relatively increased thickness of about1.8 to about 2.3 mm. Each skirt member 60, 62 also has a rearward area(C) 93 extending from the area of flexure (B) 90 to the associated endextremity 68, 70 of the skirt member 60, 62, which rearward area 93 hasa gradually increasing thickness, from about 0.6 mm to about 1.2 mmadjacent the area of flexure 90, to about 1.3 mm to about 1.8 mm (about0.060 inches) at the end extremity 68, 70.

As can be appreciated, the seal provided by the skirt members 60, 62does not require the user to disassemble any adjacent electroniccomponents or blanking panels. The blanking panel 10 is simply insertedinto the rack or cabinet enclosure in the open mounting location betweenthe adjacent devices. The resilient skirt members 60, 62 compress uponengagement with the adjacent devices providing a seal therebetween.Likewise, no disassembly of the adjacent devices is required to removethe blanking panel.

Referring to FIG. 8B, to further aid in sealing, the skirt members 60,62, or at least an outer surface thereof, may include an over-mold of arelatively pliant material 410, such as a natural or synthetic rubber,or an elastomer thermoplastic such as a polyolefin, fluoropolymer,vinyl, or a like material having a Shore A Durometer reading of about 50to about 180. Preferably, the over-mold has a thickness of about 0.020to about 0.060 inches and is substantially more pliant than the materialcomprising the remainder of the blanking panel.

Referring to FIG. 8C, end portions 568, 570 of the skirt members 60, 62of the blanking panel 10 may be constructed of a pliant material 510 (asdescribed in reference to FIG. 8B above), which is joined to (harder,less pliant) base portions 590 of the associated skirt member by anovermold 520, which overmold may be at an approximate midpoint of theskirt member 60, 62, or may be adjacent to (or slightly rearwardly of)the bottom and top edges 64, 66. Preferably, the pliant material of theskirt members 60, 62 has a thickness of about 0.015 inches to about0.125 inches, and most preferably about 0.060 inches.

As above, the end extremities 68, 70 of the skirt members 60, 62 arespaced apart about 0.040 to about 0.080 inches (most preferably about0.065 inches) greater than an integer multiple of the standard height ofthe rack or cabinet enclosure (e.g., nU+about 0.065 inches). Further,the pliant end portions 568, 570 of the skirt members 60, 62 preferablyhave an arcuate cross section (perpendicular to the lateral, X axis)which is concave in the upward direction for the top skirt 62 and in thedownward direction for the bottom skirt 60, such that the pliant endportions diverge in a rearward direction. The arcuate configuration andpliant material of the end portions 568, 570 provide enhanced sealingbetween the blanking panel and an adjacent conforming device.Preferably, the configuration provides sealing contact between theskirts and an adjacent compliant device along an area having afront-to-back dimension of about 0.010 inches to about 0.115 inches, andmost preferably about 0.10 inches. This area may be defined in part bythe end extremities 68, 70 of the skirt members 60, 62 and by at leastthe associated overmold 520. Thus, the sealing between the blankingpanel and an adjacent device occurs over a band or region, which createsa substantial and highly effective seal.

Referring to FIGS. 9-10, the blanking panel 10 may optionally include anambient air temperature indicating strip 80, such as a liquid-crystaldisplay (LCD) temperature indicating strip, affixed to a mountingsurface 85 of an off-set platform 82 mounted to the front wall 12 and/orcontact members 24 of the blanking panel 10. Suitably, the off-setplatform may have a lateral end-to-end length of about 263 mm to about275 mm, and preferably about 270 mm.

The off-set platform 82 is preferably connected to the front wall 12 bya pair of end connectors 83, and by a plurality of (e.g., two)intermediate connectors 87, which are located at intervals between theend connectors 83. The off-set platform 82 is set off a predeterminedoff-set distance from the front wall 12 (e.g., about 5 mm to about 7 mm)along a majority of a lateral length thereof, such that there exists anelongated air-flow passage or passages 88 between the off-set platform82 and the front wall 12 of the blanking panel 10. The off-set distanceprevents any (or any substantial amount of) conductive heat transferbetween the front wall 12 and the mounting surface 85 of the off-setplatform 82. Further, the air-flow passage(s) 88 permit ambient air toflow between the front wall 12 of the blanking panel 10 and the off-setplatform 82, such that the effect of any radiative or convective heatingof the off-set platform 82 by the front wall 12 of the blanking panel 10is virtually eliminated. Thus, the temperature of the mounting surface85 most closely indicates the temperature of the ambient air, as opposedto the temperature of the front wall 12 of the blanking panel 10, whichmay be influenced by the temperature of the equipment rack, the cabinetenclosure or the air therewithin. Therefore, a temperature indicatingstrip 80 affixed to the mounting surface 85 will accurately display thetemperature of the ambient air.

Referring to FIG. 6, preferably, when upper and lower blanking panels 10are stacked, extreme lateral ends 84, 86 of the off-set platform 82 ofthe lower blanking panel 10 are located intermediate points at which thestacking supports 52 of the upper blanking panel 10 contact the lowerblanking panel such that the off-set platform 82 does not interfere withor prevent nested stacking of the blanking panels 10.

In addition to or instead of the air temperature indicating strip 80,the blanking panel 10 can include a variety of other devices mounted toor within the front wall 12, such as, for example, a writing surface,signage, a humidity indicator, an electronic display or a pair ofopposed, elongated brushes, elastomer, sponges, or other material forpermitting the passage of cables therethrough, while simultaneouslycontrolling air flow through the blanking panel 10. If the blankingpanel 10 includes such a cable pass-through, both the front wall 12 andthe off-set platform 82 preferably have a cable pass-through to guidethe cables through the blanking panel 10.

Referring to FIGS. 11-13, an alternative embodiment of the blankingpanel 110 has grips 114, 116 comprising an adjacent pair of recesses118, 118′ formed in and projecting rearward from the front wall 112 ofthe blanking panel 110. Each recess 118, 118′ is sized and shaped toreceive a finger or thumb of a user therein. Preferably, the recesses118, 118′ are substantially D-shaped and reverse D-shaped (as viewedfrom the front), and are disposed in an adjacent, mirrored arrangement,such that the straight (vertical) lines of the two D's closely abut oneanother.

A contact member 124 is disposed between each pair of recesses 118,118′. The contact member 124 preferably extends from a bottom 122, 122′of each recess 118, 118′ substantially to a plane of the front wall 112of the blanking panel 110. Each contact member 124 includes a laterallyoutward surface 127, which forms a finger bearing surface 128, and alaterally inward surface 129, which forms a thumb bearing surface 130.

As described above, each finger bearing surface 128 is sized to engage amajority of the palmar aspect of the fingertip of the user beyond fromabout the DIP joint of the finger to about the end extremity of thefinger, or, alternatively, beyond from about a mid-point between the DIPjoint to about the end extremity of the finger. The thumb bearingsurface 130 is sized to engage a majority of a palmar aspect of thethumb of the user beyond from about the DIP joint of the thumb to aboutthe end extremity of the thumb, or, alternatively, beyond from about amid-point between the DIP joint and the end extremity of the thumb.

The finger and thumb bearing surfaces 128, 130 may be substantiallyplanar, and substantially parallel. Alternatively, the finger and thumbbearing surfaces 128, 130 may diverge in a forward direction (i.e., fromthe bottom 122, 122′ of the recesses 118, 118′ toward the front wall112), to provide an enhanced grip between the finger and thumb.

Also as described above, each grip 114, 116, or the contact member 124of each grip 114, 116, is preferably disposed laterally inward from anassociated end 136, 138 of the blanking panel 110 at least about 5-15cm, and preferably about 10 cm, such that a user may securely andcomfortably grasp the grips 114, 116 while maintaining the users handsand forearms between the ends 136, 138 of the blanking panel 110.Further, the grips 114, 116 are preferably arranged symmetrically alonga lateral axis of the blanking panel 110.

Referring to FIG. 14, a blanking panel 310 provided in a 2 U sizepreferably has a pair of grips 314, 314′ and 316, 316′ at each end 336,338. Similarly, the 2 U blanking panel preferably has, at each end 336,338 thereof, a pair of stacking supports (not shown), a pair of railengagement projections 348, and a pair of rail alignment projections332, 334. However, the 2 U blanking panel may have, at each end 336, 338thereof, only one grip 314, 316, and/or only one stacking support,and/or only one rail engagement projection 348, and/or only one railalignment projection 332, 334. In any configuration, however, the 2 Ublanking panel preferably has one set of (top and bottom) skirt members360. It can be appreciated that other sizes of the blanking panel (e.g.,4 U, 8 U, etc.) constructed according to the invention may have similarconfigurations.

It should be understood, of course, that the specific form of theinvention herein illustrated and described is intended to berepresentative only, as certain changes may be made therein withoutdeparting from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly,reference should be made to the following appended claims in determiningthe full scope of the invention.

1. A blanking panel for occupying one or more mounting locations in anequipment rack or cabinet enclosure of the type having spaced-apartmounting rails for mounting conforming devices in a closely-spacedmanner, which mounting rails define a plurality of predefined mountinglocations spaced-apart at regular intervals, said blanking panelcomprising: a front wall; first and second end portions on oppositelateral sides of said front wall; releasable connecting means suitablefor releasably connecting said blanking panel to the mounting rails in aresilient, snap-mount manner, with said front wall facing outward, saidreleasable connecting means being disposed adjacent said first andsecond end portions of said blanking panel; first and second gripsoperable for mounting and removal of said blanking panel to and from themounting rails; said grips being accessible from said front wall of saidblanking panel when said blanking panel is mounted to the mountingrails, with devices occupying mounting locations immediately above andbelow said blanking panel; each first and second grip having a firstbearing surface sized and shaped to engage a palmar aspect of a digit ofa hand of the user; said first bearing surface being operable forreceiving a pulling force exerted on said blanking panel by the user forremoval of said blanking panel from the mounting rails; and said firstbearing surface of each said first and second grips being spaced atleast about 5 cm from said first and second end portions, respectively,of said blanking panel.
 2. A blanking panel, as in claim 1, wherein:said first bearing surface comprises a finger bearing surface sized toengage a majority of a palmar aspect of a finger of the user from aboutan end of the finger to at least about a midpoint between a DIP joint ofthe finger and the end of the finger.
 3. A blanking panel, as in claim2, wherein: said finger bearing surface is sized to engage a majority ofthe palmar aspect of the finger of the user from about the end of afinger to at least about the DIP joint of the finger.
 4. A blankingpanel, as in claim 2, wherein: each grip includes a finger cavity sizedand shaped to receive the finger of the user therein, up to at leastabout the midpoint between the DIP joint of the finger and the end ofthe finger; and said finger bearing surface is disposed within aninterior of said finger cavity.
 5. A blanking panel, as in claim 4,wherein: each finger cavity projects rearward from said front wall andprojects laterally inward with respect to said adjacent end portion ofsaid blanking panel.
 6. A blanking panel, as in claim 3, wherein: eachgrip includes a finger cavity sized and shaped to receive the finger ofthe user therein, up to at least about the DIP joint of the finger; andsaid finger bearing surface is disposed within an interior of saidfinger cavity.
 7. A blanking panel, as in claim 6, wherein: each fingercavity projects rearward from said front wall and projects laterallyinward with respect to said adjacent end portion of said blanking panel.8. A blanking panel, as in claim 4, wherein: said finger bearing surfacehas a concave surface.
 9. A blanking panel, as in claim 6, wherein: saidfinger bearing surface has a concave surface.
 10. A blanking panel, asin claim 1, wherein: each grip has a second bearing surface; said firstand second bearing surfaces of said first grip are simultaneouslyengagable by one of a finger and thumb of a first hand of the user,respectively; and said first and second bearing surfaces of said secondgrip are simultaneously engagable by one of a finger and thumb of asecond hand of the user, respectively.
 11. A blanking panel, as in claim10, wherein: one of said first and second bearing surfaces comprises afinger bearing surface sized to engage a majority of a palmar aspect ofthe finger of the user from about an end of the finger to at least abouta DIP joint of the finger; and another of said first and second bearingsurfaces comprises a thumb bearing surface sized to engage a majority ofa palmar aspect of a thumb of the user from about an end of the thumb toat least about a DIP joint of the thumb.
 12. A blanking panel, as inclaim 10, wherein: one of said first and second bearing surfacescomprises a finger bearing surface sized to engage a majority of apalmar aspect of the finger of the user from about an end of the fingerto at least about a midpoint between a DIP joint of the finger and theend of the finger; and another of said first and second bearing surfacescomprises a thumb bearing surface sized to engage a majority of a palmaraspect of a thumb of the user from about an end of the thumb to at leastabout a midpoint between a DIP joint of the thumb and the end of thethumb.
 13. A blanking panel, as in claim 11, wherein: each grip includesa finger cavity sized and shaped to receive the finger of the usertherein, up to at least about the DIP joint of the finger; and saidfinger bearing surface is disposed within an interior of said fingercavity.
 14. A blanking panel, as in claim 13, wherein: each fingercavity projects rearward from said front wall and projects laterallyinward with respect to an adjacent end portion of said blanking panel.15. A blanking panel, as in claim 14, wherein: said finger bearingsurface has a concave surface.
 16. A blanking panel, as in claim 1,wherein: first and second resiliently flexible skirt members extendalong substantially an entire length of said blanking panel, said skirtmembers being operable to prevent airflow between said blanking paneland other conforming devices occupying mounting locations of themounting rails immediately above and below said blanking panel; saidfirst and second skirt members projecting rearwardly, in a cantileveredmanner, from first and second lateral edges of said front wall,respectively, and terminating at an end extremity; and a distancebetween outer edges of said end extremity of each said first and secondskirt members being greater than the regular interval spacing of thepredetermined mounting locations defined by the mounting rails.
 17. Ablanking panel, as in claim 16, wherein: each skirt member has an areaof flexure defined by a living hinge having a substantially constantthickness; and each end extremity of said first and second skirt membershas a thickness greater than said thickness of said living hinge.
 18. Ablanking panel, as in claim 17, wherein: said distance between saidouter edges of said end extremity of each said first and second skirtmembers being greater than the regular interval spacing of thepredetermined mounting locations defined by the mounting rails by about0.040 inches to about 0.080 inches.
 19. A blanking panel, as in claim18, wherein: said distance between said outer edges of said endextremity of each said first and second skirt members being greater thanthe regular interval spacing of the predetermined mounting locationsdefined by the mounting rails by about 0.065 inches.
 20. A blankingpanel, as in claim 16, wherein: said distance between said outer edgesof said end extremity of each said first and second skirt members beinggreater than the regular interval spacing of the predetermined mountinglocations defined by the mounting rails by about 0.040 inches to about0.080 inches.
 21. A blanking panel, as in claim 20, wherein: saiddistance between said outer edges of said end extremity of each saidfirst and second skirt members being greater than the regular intervalspacing of the predetermined mounting locations defined by the mountingrails by about 0.065 inches.
 22. A blanking panel, as in claim 1,further comprising: means to stack said blanking panel on a lowerblanking panel resting on a horizontal support surface, outside acontainer; said stacking means extending rearwardly with respect to saidfront wall of said blanking panel, and being operable to orient saidblanking panels along a horizontal, lateral X axis and along ahorizontal Y axis perpendicular to the X axis, with respect to saidlower blanking panel; and said stacking means being operable to limitrelative movement of said blanking panel along said X and Y axes, withrespect to said lower blanking panel.
 23. A blanking panel, as in claim22, further comprising: first and second skirt members extending alongsubstantially an entire length of said blanking panel and projectingrearwardly, in a cantilevered manner, from first and second lateraledges of said front wall, respectively; said stacking means comprisingfirst and second stacking supports disposed between said first andsecond skirt members; each stacking support including a first portionpositioned to engage a forwardly-projecting contact member of said lowerblanking panel; each stacking support including a second portion locatedlaterally inward of said first portion of said stacking support, saidsecond portion of said stacking support extending into a finger cavityof said lower blanking panel immediately adjacent a free end of saidcontact member of said lower blanking panel; said first portion of saidstacking support orienting and limiting movement of said blanking panelalong said Y axis relative to said lower blanking panel; and said secondportion of said stacking support orienting and limiting movement of saidblanking panel along said X axis relative to said lower blanking panel.24. A blanking panel, as in claim 23, further comprising: said first andsecond grips including a forwardly-projecting contact member having aconvex shape; said front wall having first and second contact areasdisposed adjacent said first and second end portions of said front wall,said first and second contact areas having convex shapes; radii ofcurvature of said contact members being substantially less than radii ofcurvature of said contact areas of said front wall.
 25. A blankingpanel, as in claim 24, further comprising: when said blanking panel isstacked on said lower blanking panel, said center of curvature of saidcontact areas of said front wall being substantially below said centerof curvature of said contact members.
 26. A blanking panel, as in claim1, further comprising: an off-set platform attached to a front of saidblanking panel; said off-set platform being spaced a predetermineddistance from said front wall of said blanking panel along a majority ofa length of said off-set platform; and one or more air passages beingdisposed between said off-set platform and said front wall of saidblanking panel.
 27. A blanking panel, as in claim 26, furthercomprising: an ambient atmospheric indicator mounted to said off-setplatform.
 28. A blanking panel, as in claim 27, wherein: said ambientatmospheric indicator comprises an ambient temperature indicator.
 29. Ablanking panel, as in claim 27, wherein: said ambient atmosphericindicator comprises an ambient humidity indicator.
 30. A blanking panelfor an equipment rack or cabinet enclosure of the type havingspaced-apart rails for mounting electronic equipment, said blankingpanel comprising: a front wall; first and second end portions onopposite lateral sides of said front wall; means for releasablyconnecting said blanking panel to the rails of the equipment rack in aresilient, snap-mount manner, with said front wall facing outward, saidreleasable connecting means being disposed on said first and second endportions of said blanking panel; first and second grips operable forengagement and removal of said blanking panel to and from the equipmentrack; said first and second grips each having a contact member; and eachcontact member being spaced laterally inward from an associated adjacentend portion of said blanking panel at least about 5 cm.
 31. The blankingpanel of claim 30, wherein each contact member has a finger bearingsurface and a thumb bearing surface, sized to engage a majority of apalmar aspect of the finger and thumb of the user, respectively, fromabout the DIP joint to about the end of the finger and thumb,respectively.
 32. The blanking panel of claim 31, wherein the thumbbearing surface has a length of about 1-4 cm and a width of about 1-2cm.
 33. The blanking panel of claim 30, wherein the contact members arespaced laterally inward so as to permit engagement of said contactmember by said user, with said first and second hands of said userlocated entirely between said first and second ends of said blankingpanel.
 34. The blanking panel of claim 30, wherein the contact membersare simultaneously engagable between a finger and thumb of first andsecond hands of a user, respectively.
 35. The blanking panel of claim30, wherein the grips have finger bearing surfaces with convex shapes toconform to an average finger tip.
 36. A blanking panel for occupying oneor more mounting locations in an equipment rack or cabinet enclosure ofthe type having spaced-apart mounting rails for mounting conformingdevices in a closely-spaced manner, which mounting rails define aplurality of predefined mounting locations spaced-apart at regularintervals, said blanking panel comprising: a front wall; first andsecond end portions on opposite lateral sides of said front wall;releasable connecting means suitable for releasably connecting saidblanking panel to the mounting rails, with said front wall facingoutward, said releasable connecting means being disposed adjacent saidfirst and second end portions of said blanking panel; first and secondgrips operable for mounting and removal of said blanking panel to andfrom the mounting rails; first and second resiliently flexible skirtmembers extend along substantially an entire length of said blankingpanel, said skirt members being operable to prevent airflow between saidblanking panel and other conforming devices occupying mounting locationsof the mounting rails immediately above and below said blanking panel;said first and second skirt members projecting rearwardly, in acantilevered manner, from first and second lateral edges of said frontwall, respectively, and terminating at an end extremity; and a distancebetween outer edges of said end extremity of each said first and secondskirt members being greater than the regular interval spacing of thepredetermined mounting locations defined by the mounting rails.
 37. Ablanking panel, as in claim 36, wherein: opposed ends of each said firstand second skirt member are spaced a distance substantially equal to adistance between said mounting rails.
 38. A blanking panel, as in claim36, wherein: each skirt member has an area of flexure defined by aliving hinge having a substantially constant thickness; and each endextremity of said first and second skirt members has a thickness greaterthan said thickness of said living hinge.
 39. A blanking panel, as inclaim 38, wherein: said distance between said outer edges of said endextremity of each said first and second skirt members being greater thanthe regular interval spacing of the predetermined mounting locationsdefined by the mounting rails by about 0.040 inches to about 0.080inches.
 40. A blanking panel, as in claim 39, wherein: said distancebetween said outer edges of said end extremity of each said first andsecond skirt members being greater than the regular interval spacing ofthe predetermined mounting locations defined by the mounting rails byabout 0.065 inches.
 41. A blanking panel, as in claim 36, wherein: saiddistance between said outer edges of said end extremity of each saidfirst and second skirt members being greater than the regular intervalspacing of the predetermined mounting locations defined by the mountingrails by about 0.040 inches to about 0.080 inches.
 42. A blanking panel,as in claim 41, wherein: said distance between said outer edges of saidend extremity of each said first and second skirt members being greaterthan the regular interval spacing of the predetermined mountinglocations defined by the mounting rails by about 0.065 inches.
 43. Ablanking panel, as in claim 36, wherein: each said first and secondskirt member has a pliant end portion formed of a relatively softmaterial having a Shore A Durometer hardness value of between about 50and about 180; and each pliant end portion is joined to a base portionof the associated skirt member.
 44. A blanking panel, as in claim 43,wherein: each pliant end portion has an arcuate cross section such thatthe pliant end portions of the first and second skirt members divergefrom each other in a rearward direction.
 45. A blanking panel foroccupying one or more mounting locations in an equipment rack or cabinetenclosure of the type having spaced-apart mounting rails for mountingelectronic equipment in a closely-spaced manner, which mounting railsdefine a plurality of predefined mounting locations spaced-apart atregular intervals, said blanking panel comprising: a front wall; firstand second end portions on opposite lateral sides of said front wall;releasable connecting means suitable for releasably connecting saidblanking panel to the mounting rails in a resilient, snap-mount manner,with said front wall facing outward, said releasable connecting meansbeing disposed adjacent said first and second end portions of saidblanking panel; first and second grips operable for mounting and removalof said blanking panel to and from the mounting rails; means to stacksaid blanking panel on a lower blanking panel resting on a horizontalsupport surface, without support from a container; said stacking meansextending rearwardly with respect to said front wall of said blankingpanel, and being operable to orient said blanking panel along ahorizontal, lateral X axis and along a horizontal Y axis perpendicularto the X axis, relative to said lower blanking panel; and said stackingmeans being operable to limit relative movement of said blanking panelalong said X and Y axes, with respect to said lower blanking panel. 46.A blanking panel, as in claim 45, further comprising: first and secondskirt members extending along substantially an entire length of saidblanking panel and projecting rearwardly, in a cantilevered manner, fromfirst and second lateral edges of said front wall, respectively; saidstacking means comprising first and second stacking supports disposedbetween said first and second skirt members; each stacking supportincluding a first portion positioned to engage a forwardly-projectingcontact member of said lower blanking panel; each stacking supportincluding a second portion located laterally inward of said firstportion of said stacking support, said second portion of said stackingsupport extending into a finger cavity of said lower blanking panelimmediately adjacent a free end of said contact member of said lowerblanking panel; said first portion of said stacking support orientingand limiting movement of said blanking panel along said Y axis relativeto said lower blanking panel; and said second portion of said stackingsupport orienting and limiting movement of said blanking panel alongsaid X axis relative to said lower blanking panel.
 47. A blanking panel,as in claim 46, further comprising: said first and second grips eachincluding a forwardly-projecting contact member having a convex shape;said front wall having first and second contact areas disposed adjacentsaid first and second end portions of said front wall, each contact areahaving a convex shape; radii of curvature of said contact members beingsubstantially less than radii of curvature of said contact areas of saidfront wall.
 48. A blanking panel, as in claim 47, further comprising:when said blanking panel is stacked on said lower blanking panel, saidcenter of curvature of said contact areas of said front wall beingsubstantially below said center of curvature of said contact members.49. A blanking panel for occupying one or more mounting locations in anequipment rack or cabinet enclosure of the type having spaced-apartmounting rails for mounting electronic equipment in a closely-spacedmanner, which mounting rails define a plurality of predefined mountinglocations spaced-apart at regular intervals, said blanking panelcomprising: a front wall; first and second end portions on oppositelateral sides of said front wall; releasable connecting means suitablefor releasably connecting said blanking panel to the mounting rails in aresilient, snap-mount manner, with said front wall facing outward, saidreleasable connecting means being disposed adjacent said first andsecond end portions of said blanking panel; first and second gripsoperable for mounting and removal of said blanking panel to and from themounting rails; an off-set platform attached to a front of said blankingpanel; said off-set platform being spaced a predetermined distance fromsaid front wall of said blanking panel along a majority of a length ofsaid off-set platform; and one or more air passages being disposedbetween said off-set platform and said front wall of said blankingpanel.
 50. A blanking panel, as in claim 49, further comprising: anambient atmospheric indicator mounted to said off-set platform.
 51. Ablanking panel, as in claim 50, wherein: said ambient atmosphericindicator comprises an ambient temperature indicator.
 52. A blankingpanel, as in claim 50, wherein: said ambient atmospheric indicatorcomprises an ambient humidity indicator.
 53. A blanking panel, as inclaim 49, further comprising: signage disposed on said off-set platform.54. A blanking panel, as in claim 49, further comprising: a writingsurface disposed on said off-set platform.
 55. A blanking panel, as inclaim 49, further comprising: said front wall and said off-set platformeach having a cable pass-through adapted to permit the passage of cablestherethrough.